North Kivu: the ceasefire agreed between the FARDC and the M23 not been respected
After the communiqué announcing the ceasefire, in the combat zones in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this Tuesday by the M23 rebels, clashes were reported the same day and this Wednesday in the localities and chiefdoms of Masisi and Rutshuru. According to the spokesman for the Congolese army in the province of North Kivu, Lieutenant-Colonel Guillaume Ndjike Kayiko, the M23 rebels attacked early this Tuesday the positions of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) in the localities of Karuba and Shasha north of the city of Sake in Masisi territory. Local sources speak of ongoing clashes. Information confirmed by local civil society. INFO SOS Médias Burundi
This fighting caused a new massive displacement of the population and several people died in the Karuba groupement.
“The M23 rebels have violated the ceasefire and this was evident today when they attacked our positions in Karuba and Shasha. We condemn these acts which violate human rights in North Kivu province Residents lost their lives as a result of bullets and bombs thrown by the M23 rebels in the city of Sake and Mubambiro”, accused Colonel Guillaume Ndjike Kayiko.
Civil society actors in Masisi territory also warned of the violation of ceasefire demanded by the leaders of East African states.
Télésphore Mitondeke, president of the civil society -Forces vives in the territory of Masisi, says he does not understand how the clashes are reported the very first day of the supposed implimentation of the cease fire.
” necessary measures are needed from both sides: FARDC and M23 because it is the peaceful citizens who pay the price. The M23 must understand that the Congolese need peace, especially these days”, estimates the activist.
According to the testimony of a resident of Mushaki, the M23 rebels are still visible in the area and are continuing operations as usual.
“In this evening we still see the presence and free movement of the M23 in the center of Mushaki. It shows us that they do not have the will to leave the areas they occupy”, the resident testified to SOS Médias Burundi Tuesday evening.
Nevertheless, local sources from Kitshanga in the Bashali chiefdom, Masisi territory say the rebels are gradually withdrawing, but that there are still some in this strategic city of Masisi.
In the same outskirts, clashes were reported throughout the day in the localities of Kibarizo Mpati and Kahira in the southern part of Masisi.
In Rutshuru territory, several sources indicate that the rebels still control the areas they occupy and fighting has been recorded in the Bambo and Tongo groupements between the FARDC and the M23.
Wednesday: hostilities around Sake
Clashes between the FARDC and the M23 picked up at 5:30 a.m. in different areas of the Bahunde chiefdom in Masisi territory on Wednesday. According to the testimony of a resident of Shasha, intense fighting is reported on Mount Ngingwe in the hills overlooking the village of Kirotshe in the chiefdom of Bahunde in the territory of Masisi.
“It was around 5 a.m. that the fighting took up not far from Shasha and in some areas surrounding the city of Sake,” he said.
Rebels are trying to cut the Sake-Minova road leading to South Kivu, sparking a massive displacement of residents fleeing hostilities leaving their households.
“We see that the rebels want to make an assault on the neighboring province of South Kivu passing through the territory of Kalehe in Minova. The population of Shasha is moving towards Bweremana and Minova”, say local sources.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the M23 announced the implication of the ceasefire to follow the diplomatic and political path desired by the leaders of the EAC and the international community.
